Marc Marquez is refusing to hit the panic button. Despite Ducati's disappointing performance at the Red Bull Ring, the Spaniard remains calm and insists the 2026 MotoGP title fight is still wide open.
The Austrian weekend unfolded far from the ideal script. Instead of extending his championship lead, Marquez watched his closest rival, Jorge Martin, dominate by sweeping both the sprint and the main race. The gap now stands at 12 points in Martin's favor, and Marquez acknowledges that four riders are still in the hunt.
“We are 12 points behind with seven races to go. No panic. There are four of us fighting for the title,” Marquez told Sky Sport Italia, referring to himself, Martin, and the Marco Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta, who remain in contention.
Ducati's main issue in Austria was rear tire management. The carcass didn't work optimally, making it hard for Marquez to maintain consistency, especially in the latter stages. However, he doesn't see it as a long-term threat. “We'll try to work on it. Fortunately, it will only happen again in Indonesia,” he added, hinting that Mandalika will be the only similar challenge left on the calendar.
With seven races remaining, the pressure shifts to Martin. The Pramac Racing rider now leads the standings, but a 12-point advantage is fragile. Marquez and Ducati have time to bounce back, while Bezzecchi and Acosta lurk. The 2026 MotoGP season is delivering unexpected drama, and Marquez is ready to play the hunter, not the hunted.
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